In an effort to get expired, dangerous prescription drugs off the streets, Lamar County sheriff Larry Waller and his deputies are participating in a national effort known as Operation Pill Drop Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.. News release from Sgt. Stead Walker of the LCSO: The Drug Enforcement Administration and government, community, public health, Sheriff Larry Waller and law enforcement partners are announcing a nationwide prescription drug ‘Take-Back’ initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide on Saturday, September 25 the from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. There will be numerous ‘Take-Back’ sites set up throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan area and throughout the state of Georgia. Other DEA Offices within DEA Atlanta’s four-state region (Georgia, North and South Carolina and Tennessee) will be participating in this event. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away ‘“ both potential safety and health hazards. Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said, ‘Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions in this country. A very accessible drug stash can be found right at home in your medicine cabinet. You can make your home safe and strengthen your community by participating in our nationwide prescription take-back program. DEA will be working hand-in-hand with a multitude of community partners, law enforcement personnel and the general public to raise the awareness of prescription drug abuse. Please join us in this effort as we seek to rid our communities of pharmaceutical drug abuse.’ Collection sites in every local community can be found by going to www.dea.gov The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, located at 121 Roberta Dr. / Barnesville, GA 30204, will the drop off location for Lamar County. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations. Locally, Safe-Kids, Georgia is a key participant in this event and will be working side-by side with DEA Atlanta. Nationally, other participants in this initiative include the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the National Association of Attorneys General; the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy; the Federation of State Medical Boards; and the National District Attorneys Association.
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